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However, this year's drowning toll is well down on last year's, with 56 deaths as of Monday, compared with 80 at the same time last year.

There were 98 drownings in total last year - the third lowest toll since 1980, and a 26 per cent decrease from the 132 drownings the previous year.

Mr Claridge was hoping for another low drowning toll this year.

"I think we're going well, but whatever number we finish on, it will still be too high."

Surf Life Saving chief executive Paul Dalton said the beach was New Zealand's favourite playground, but it could also be a dangerous place.

"Learning about the risks and preparing yourself will mean you can enjoy the sun, sea and sand safely this summer."

About 4000 volunteer lifeguards would spend more than 200,000 hours keeping watch over some 80 beaches this season.

Over an average summer, lifeguards rescue more than 1200 people - a figure that spiked to more than 1600 people last year.

For the second year running, Surf Life Saving will also offer its Find A Beach website, which provides real-time information on the weather, swells, and hazards, as well as ratings for activities like swimming or fishing.

MetService meteorologist Dan Corbett said it would be "a typical Labour Weekend" with some rain.

An active front across the country could bring rain and thunderstorms by Friday, followed by a westerly, wet flow from the Tasman Sea.

That would bring some clouds and showers to western areas, but eastern areas would be dry and mild, with temperatures in the upper teens or lower 20s in Canterbury and Hawkes Bay.

There would be a some showers on Sunday across the country, Mr Corbett said.

WeatherWatch has predicted gale force winds in exposed and eastern areas of the South Island and about the lower North Island - but in sheltered areas further away from the ranges, or in the north, the weather could be "stunning".

"However, it's the unpredictable nature of gusty winds that could be an issue," analyst Philip Duncan said.